Kinship's new Dreamwave 2% Bio-Retinoid Complex Overnight Renewal Serum ($48), which is now available on Ulta.com, represents the brand's pivot toward the sensitive skin market.
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By launching a relatively accessibly priced serum, the 5-year-old brand is specifically targeting shoppers who might otherwise seek out products from Drunk Elephant and Paula’s Choice.
Furthermore, the brand's repositioning shows that it's often no longer enough to be just clean, sustainable or efficacious.
According to a 2022 Aveeno report, “71% of [global] adults identify as having sensitive skin,” representing a 55% jump over two decades. The report notes that sensitive skin isn’t just a physical condition; it also has a “psychological impact, influencing quality of life and emotional well-being.”
The Dreamwave 2% Bio-Retinoid Complex Overnight Renewal Serum features a 2% Bio-Retinoid Complex featuring the microalgae-derived encapsulated bio-retinoid, Chlorella vulgaris extract.
According to the scientific literature, "C. vulgaris has been reported to contain richly nutritive compounds such as carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, minerals, β-carotene, chlorophyll-a and -b, lutein, tocopherol, ascorbic acid, retinol and riboflavin."
Furthermore, "C. vulgaris has shown potential as an anti-ageing compound by decreasing ageing biomarkers in senescent human diploid fibroblast (HDF) cells."
The sensitive-skin-friendly formulation also features retinal, niacinamide, tranexamic acid and probiotic Lactobacillus ferment.
Key benefits include an improvement in the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, a diminishment in the appearance of sun damage, and a strengthened skin barrier.